"Are you sure about your decision, little lad?"
The waves lapped gently against the hull as the Purple Pearl Ship traversed the vast ocean.
In the captain's cabin, Ji Xiang stood before Zi Zhenzhu, looking at her with resolute eyes.
Zi Zhenzhu, the pirate queen, also looked back at the ordinary-looking lad before her with her beautiful, piercing gaze.
"Yes, Captain. I am sure."
"Oh? You know nothing about the mainland, yet you still wish to go... Utter foolishness. But then again, you are his disciple. Now that you are a soul master yourself, it's not such a bad idea to see the other side of the world."
"But lad, you also know that he ordered me to take care of you. If anything happens to you, what answer can I give him?" Zi Zhenzhu asked, her tone laced with inquiry.
"Captain, rest assured. I want to go to the mainland mainly because I wish to see the world my master came from and serve the sect he created—the sect I now belong to. So I won't get into unnecessary trouble... And Captain, you also know my medical skill. Now with the addition of soul power, it's only a matter of time before I make a name for myself—like Master."
Ji Xiang spoke with a smooth, prepared flow, never revealing that he was actually enjoying the presence of the beautiful lady in her thirties.
Although Ji Xiang had often mumbled to himself about making excessive demands to this mature pirate queen—skipping training, lazing around, and whatnot—when he was alone in that small cabin on the ship, gazing at the magnificent vast ocean through the tiny window, he couldn't bring himself to resign his life to idleness.
And wasn't there also his golden finger?
If he wanted to use that power to its fullest potential and gain the greatest benefit, he had to go to the mainland. Staying on the small Purple Pearl Island with this mature virgin pirate queen wouldn't bring him any tangible benefit.
"All right. Since you, little divine doctor, have made up your mind, I won't stop you. But also know that once I help you reach the mainland safely, my responsibility for you ends there. I hope you won't lose your life before he returns."
"I understand, Captain. And worry not. I'll take care of myself and wait for my master's return at the sect he founded," Ji Xiang said solemnly.
"Hmm~" Purple Pearl nodded lazily. Then she stood up and shouted with little ladylike grace to her crew, "Hey, Bald Head! Turn the ship north—we're heading to the mainland!"
---
In the small guest cabin near the back of the ship, Ji Xiang sat cross-legged on a thin mat. The door creaked shut behind him as he took a deep breath.
He had been running on adrenaline for days.
First, he had awakened in a new world. Then, he had spent every waking moment playing his role perfectly, making sure not a single word or gesture would raise suspicion.
Not that it was hard. He had the memories of the original Ji Xiang, which came with the added benefit of medical knowledge—even Tang San had been impressed.
But for a soul from Earth, even if there was no real danger, he had still felt nervous and fearful during the past dozen days. Transmigration wasn't as easy to accept as those webnovels made it seem.
Now, for the first time, he was alone to ponder his future.
He let out a long breath.
"So... this really is my life now."
The walls around him were wooden, and the scent of salt clung to everything. The room was simple—bed, table, a shelf. It wasn't luxurious, but it wasn't uncomfortable either. Purple Pearl had already ordered the crew to treat him as a VIP. Her respect and love for Tang San had easily extended to his disciple.
"The first step—leaving for the mainland—successfully accomplished. Now with Purple Pearl as assurance, I don't have to worry about losing my life halfway through the sea. I'll reach the mainland intact. Ha."
In this vast ocean, there were plenty of powerful soul beasts—not to mention that nearly million-year-old Deep Sea Demonic Whale King. If one traveled without a proper map, they'd lose their life ten times out of ten. There was no escape unless you had heaven-defying luck.
So, for Ji Xiang, convincing the pirate queen to give him a ride was crucial. Only she knew these waters like the back of her hand. But persuading her hadn't been difficult. The mature woman who had just fallen in love with Tang San a few days ago had already begun acting love-struck. Since Ji Xiang said he was going to the mainland to help with Tang San's sect affairs, she accepted with little to no resistance.
Still, she wanted to stay behind to wait for Tang San's return. She hoped to see him the moment he left Sea God Island.
"But only I know that Tang San wouldn't return to see either of us until he becomes a god. Even after that... whether he ever visits her is still a question."
"Alas... If she had decided to come with me to the mainland, I might've had the chance to taste her sooner or later. But now... Forget it. It's not right to blaspheme someone who genuinely loves my master." Ji Xiang shook his head, forcefully removing some stray thoughts.
"Four years. I have four years before my master Tang San returns to the mainland... Before that, I need to find a suitable person to plant my seal on." Ji Xiang narrowed his eyes slightly and willed his spirit.
On the back of his tanned, rough hand, a red lotus-shaped mark suddenly appeared. It looked particularly beautiful—elegant and demonic—with nine petals radiating a faint glow.
This was his golden finger.
He didn't know its name. But he knew its ability as clearly as if it were instinctual—like it had always been part of him.
It had only one good ability: Once this lotus mark was planted on someone, the moment that person died, it would devour every ounce of soul power and vitality from them—and transfer it all to Ji Xiang.
In other words, if Ji Xiang planted this seal on Zi Zhenzhu, once she died, he could instantly obtain her level 68 soul power—reaching the Soul Emperor realm in a matter of seconds.
That said, the lotus seal was a one-time-use ability. It could only be used on one person, and it could only absorb one target. After that—it's power would vanish forever.
So, when planting the seal, he had to choose the target carefully. After all, once it was used, there was no changing it. If he planted it unwisely, he'd spend the rest of his life scheming for their death—and was that really worth it?
Maybe it was. After all, thanks to Tang San, he now had the ability to cultivate. With the authentic Mysterious Heaven Technique, he'd likely reach a high level in the future.
So perhaps killing a Soul Douluo or even a Titled Douluo would be possible in time.
But even then—would the extra soul power really be useful by that point?
Maybe.
If he reached, say, level 95 someday, then with the soul power absorbed from a level 96 Titled Douluo's death, he might jump straight to level 99—saving decades of cultivation.
But was that really the best use of his golden finger?